de·bate /dɪˈbet, di-/
 (vt.)爭論,辯論(vi.)辯論爭論,辯論
 De·bate v. t. [imp. & p. p. Debated; p. pr. & vb. n. Debating.]
 1. To engage in combat for; to strive for.
    Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner, and the cause of religion was debated with the same ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine.   --Prescott.
 2. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss; to argue for and against.
    A wise council . . . that did debate this business.   --Shak.
    Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself.   --Prov. xxv. 9.
 Syn: -- To argue; discuss; dispute; controvert. See Argue, and Discuss.
 De·bate, v. i.
 1. To engage in strife or combat; to fight. [Obs.]
    Well could he tourney and in lists debate.   --Spenser.
 2. To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind; -- often followed by on or upon.
    He presents that great soul debating upon the subject of life and death with his intimate friends.   --Tatler.
 De·bate, n.
 1. A fight or fighting; contest; strife. [Archaic]
    On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great debate . . . and in that murder there were slain . . . fourscore.   --R. of Gloucester.
 But question fierce and proud reply
 Gave signal soon of dire debate.   --Sir W. Scott.
 2. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or in Congress.
    Heard, noted, answer'd, as in full debate.   --Pope.
 3. Subject of discussion. [R.]
    Statutes and edicts concerning this debate.   --Milton.
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 debate
      n 1: a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against
           some proposition or proposal; "the argument over foreign
           aid goes on and on" [syn: argument, argumentation]
      2: the formal presentation of and opposition to a stated
         proposition (usually followed by a vote) [syn: disputation,
          public debate]
      v 1: argue with one another; "We debated the question of
           abortion"; "John debated Mary"
      2: think about carefully; weigh; "They considered the
         possibility of a strike"; "Turn the proposal over in your
         mind" [syn: consider, moot, turn over, deliberate]
      3: discuss the pros and cons of an issue [syn: deliberate]
      4: have an argument about something [syn: argue, contend, fence]